News & Updates
World’s Largest Cruise Ship Arrives at Homeport Port Canaveral
The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, arrived at Port Canaveral for the very first time on August 9, sailing past Jetty Park with a water cannon tugboat escort before docking at the recently renovated Cruise Terminal 1.
Port Canaveral’s “Star-Studded Sailabration” for Star of the Seas kicked off a few days after arriving with a traditional maritime plaque exchange welcoming the ship to her new homeport. Canaveral Port Authority CEO and Port Director Capt. John Murray, Canaveral Port Authority Board Chairman Admiral Wayne Justice (USCG-Ret.), Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Kevin Markey and others joined Star of the Seas Captain Rob Hempstead and his team of officers to commemorate the ship’s homecoming at the world’s second busiest cruise port.
“We are enormously proud of our longtime partnership with Royal Caribbean and very excited to have this magnificent new ship join their fleet of vessels homeported here,” Murray said. “Star of the Seas is a substantial addition and underscores the growing demand for cruising from our port. After months of planning, preparation and facilities improvements we’ve made, our team is ready to provide the high-quality guest experience that has become our hallmark.”
The arrival of Icon-class Star of the Seas to Port Canaveral represents the latest chapter in a successful partnership between Royal Caribbean and the port dating back nearly 30 years. The 248,663-ton ship will operate a series of special showcase voyages before launching seven-day eastern and western Caribbean sailings from the port starting August 31.
Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas joins other Royal Caribbean vessels Utopia of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Harmony the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas offering a variety of cruise vacations sailing from Port Canaveral.